Written by: Bernard Otu Assim-ita
Nearly 1 in 3, or 30%, of women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, non-partner sexual violence, or both. In April 2024, Aisha (not her real name), a 19-year-old, through the support of her school gender desk officer, secured a protection order against her cousin, Majid, after months of anxiety and harassment. Majid’s actions, which included spreading rumours, peeping through her toilet window, and blackmailing her with intimate photos, constituted coercion and emotional and psychological abuse under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act. Despite the potential for a four-year prison sentence and ₦200,000 fine, Aisha’s father pressured her to withdraw the case because of family ties with her abuser and to avoid the stigma that would come with an escalation of the situation.
The protection order, permitted under Section 30 of the VAPP Act, restricted Majid from contacting or approaching her. If violated, the state would prosecute Majid under the Act, and this experience, like many others, highlights the significance of the VAPP Act, domesticated in 31 states and even amended in some states to reflect their context. However, its future has beco
me uncertain as Senator Jibrin Isah’s bill to repeal and reenact the Act gains momentum.
The proposed repeal and reenactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act poses significant risks to the existing protections and support mechanisms for survivors of gender-based violence in Nigeria. The VAPP Act currently provides a progressive framework addressing a broad range of harmful practices, including domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation, and harmful widowhood practices. However, replacing it risks narrowing definitions, scaling back progressive provisions, and introducing bureaucratic barriers that could make justice less accessible to survivors.
Furthermore, the emphasis on stricter punishments in the proposed bill may deprioritize the psychosocial and economic support critical for survivor recovery while potentially limiting the involvement of civil society organisations that play a vital role in advocacy and public education. This change could erode survivors’ trust, discourage reporting, and undermine the gains made in gender justice advocacy, setting a dangerous precedent for future rollbacks of women’s rights. Instead of repealing the Act, efforts should focus on addressing its gaps through amendments that strengthen protections and prioritise survivors’ rights and needs.
The 2024 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is set against the backdrop of a global and national call to “Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.” This year’s campaign urges action and investment in preventative measures to end violence and highlights both the progress and the ongoing challenges faced in Nigeria as we continue to grapple with disturbing levels of violence against women and girls.
Global funding plays a critical role in supporting local interventions to address gender-based violence (GBV), particularly in countries like Nigeria, where existing policies are often undermined by gaps in implementation and inadequate resources. Many programs that provide essential services—such as shelters, legal aid, and psychosocial support for survivors—rely heavily on international aid to bridge funding shortfalls. This support also enables capacity building, community engagement, and advocacy efforts that amplify the voices of women and girls. The shift in the global political landscape towards anti-gender, anti-rights proponents, raises significant concerns and challenges especially for global women’s health and rights funding and support. We know that cuts in funds for gender equality programs will exacerbate strain on already fragile GBV response systems, especially in our country.
This changing political landscape underscores the importance of national investment in preventative measures against GBV. Nigerian organisations now face the dual challenges of sustaining their work while navigating an increasingly uncertain funding environment. Voices from these organisations may underscore the need to unite internally as over-reliance on external support becomes increasingly risky.
As the 16 Days of Activism urge the world to unite and invest in the prevention of violence, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Stakeholders, community leaders, and policymakers must renew their commitment to protecting women and girls, as these protections are more than just legal provisions—they are lifelines that empower them to live in dignity and safety. Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to defend, expand, and safeguard existing laws like the VAPP Act, ensuring that the gains made are not reversed and we can ensure a future where no woman or girl has to endure violence in silence.
Through deeper commitment to funding GBV prevention, Nigeria can serve as a model of resilience and progress in the global fight against violence towards women and girls.
